BE: Feasibility of value chain for maize straw in bio-economy

In Flanders, a potential 120,000 tons of maize straw could be removed from the field as raw material for the bio-economy. But who is going to organize it? And is that even possible? According to ILVO-Ghent University doctoral researcher Anouk Mertens, a value chain for Flemish maize straw is indeed feasible, in spite of the unstable supply. But it will call for focus, flexibility, organization and targeted funding. Flanders can look to Canada for inspiration. Canadians successfully produce sugars from maize and wheat straw.
On 18 December 2017, Anouk Mertens defended her doctoral thesis on “Challenges for local maize value chains in the biobased economy” (Press Release ILVO, 22 December 2017).
Click here for the press release.
Click here an abstract of the thesis.

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